This month, my extra challenge was to use a brand new box of Derwent Drawing Pencils. The catch is, there are only 24 colors, and they are very muted. The fun part is that they are VERY creamy, but it was also a challenge since it's impossible to keep a sharp tip. So I had to forget about details and sharp contrasts. I was able to make it work, giving my drawing a more painterly look, but I was also very frustrated that I wasn't able to use more colors. The pencils blend very well together, even when you don't want them to, and using odorless mineral spirit made them look a bit chalky and lifeless. So I gave up with the OMS, and did what I could with just the pencils. In the end, I cheated a tiny bit, and ended up using one extra pencil not in the box, a white Stabilo Woody pencil, which helped me add just a few extra white touches. Earlier on I had considered adding some Prismacolor, but it was impossible to add to the layer of the Derwent Drawing. I think they work better when you add the Drawing to the Prismacolor instead.
All in all it was a new colored pencil experience for me. I really like the Derwent Drawing pencils, but I think next time I'll mix them with the Coloursoft for a broader choice of colors (the textures are similar). There is definitely a learning curve when you're used to harder pencils. I look forward to using them again.

Earlier this Summer, the Colored Pencil Magazine contacted me to asked if I could write an article for them. They liked the idea of my latest videos explaining how to choose the right brand of pencils to use with black paper, and thought it would be of interest to their readers. I decided it was time for me to pay it forward and help other artists with my own experience. I'm very thankful that the Internet is so full of people sharing their knowledge, it's my turn to hopefully help someone else.

You can find my article, Which White?, in their September 2015 issue. Both digital and paper copies are available.

I had to stop working on my bigger drawing for lack of time, and ended up doing this little one in my sketchbook instead. I'll finish the other one (a closer crop) later. I was a bit overwhelmed by all the seeds. But I'm pretty happy with the result. It was great practice, I'll be able to finish my bigger drawing with more confidence.
Great subject this month, another fun challenge. Thank you Sally Robertson for the photo

"Stawberry" - 5x7" or so - Colored Pencils

Double challenge for me this time as I was on vacation with limited art supplies. I learned that I don't really enjoy using cold press watercolor paper with colored pencils, it's too grainy for me, and I can't add details as well as with smoother papers. Also, I missed my beloved scanner, and had a hard time taking a good photo. Yet, I enjoyed the challenge anyway because it made me grow a little more.
Another great photo provided by Sally Robertson.